Karl John Hamilton

On Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, Karl John Hamilton, 48, left the bonds of his earthly body and joined the angels. He died at University Hospital in Ann Arbor surrounded by family.

Karl was born Oct. 22, 1964, in Tecumseh to Wm. Dean and Jo Ann “Susie” (Kampmueller) Hamilton. He was a 1983 graduate of Tecumseh High School and a 1988 Adrian College graduate. He was a sales representative at Adrian Steel until he was incapacitated by malignant nerve sheath sarcoma in 2008. After that, his life’s work was to teach others how to appreciate each day by focusing on the good moments; he loved to bring joy to others, no matter the circumstances.

Karl was often described as an “inspiration.” He had an amazing sense of humor and wonderful wit, which was one of his greatest assets; he used it to put people at ease, pull pranks or just get a good laugh. He had recently given up cancer for Lent.

Besides a gazillion friends and numerous cousins, he is survived by his mother, “Susie” Hamilton of Tecumseh; a brother, Kirk Hamilton of Limerick, Pa.; his sister and brother-in-law, Kerry and Randy Smith of Tecumseh; three nieces, including Francesca Hamilton of Pennsylvania, Nicole (Darrell) Eaton of Tecumseh and Michelle Smith (Ronald Martin) of Okemos, Mich.; and a nephew, Alexandre Hamilton (Sydney Ergler) of Pennsylvania.

Karl was preceded in death by his father, Dean, on Nov. 14, 2001, and his grandparents, Ray and Lela (Murphy) Guy, William Hamilton and C. Fred and Ellen (Gaertner) Kampmueller.

A service to celebrate Karl’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Tecumseh, with the Rev. Joyce Freund officiating. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, at the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes, as well as an hour prior to the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Lenawee Humane Society, the University of Michigan for Sarcoma Research, or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.handlerfuneralhomes.com.

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